Provides a thorough description of Voice over IP for those new to the technology

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a fast-growing technology within telcos and ISPs. VoIP is significantly reducing the cost of transmitting telephone calls and enabling small companies to enter the +$50 billion marketplace. Many telcos and ISPs are entering this market while VoIP is still in its infancy. As a result, there is an urgent need for telco and ISP engineers to learn this new technology. This book will assist telco engineers to transition to IP networking with a focus on VoIP networks. This book introduces the fundamentals of IP networking as it applies to transmitting voice calls using IP packets. Key telco-based technologies such as SS7 are reviewed. A unique approach is that the book outlines each component of VoIP technology while describing the application of the technology. This is accomplished by describing key steps in designing an operational VoIP network, thereby enabling the reader to understand how this technology is applied.